News

Ontario, Canada, proposes renewables legislation

09 March 2009

Ontario, Canada, is proposing sweeping new legislation to attract new investment, create new ‘green economy jobs’ and better protect the climate.

If passed, the Green Energy Act (GEA)would help the Government ensure Ontario’s green economic future by building a stronger, ‘greener’ economy with new investment, creating a projected 50,000 green collar jobs in the first three years, and more economic growth for Ontario.

The proposed GEA contains a series of coordinated actions with two equally important thrusts: making it easier to bring renewable energy projects to life, and promoting energy efficiency.

Quick facts

Ontario has already brought about 1 GW of new renewable energy on-line since October 2003;

Canada’s two largest windfarms are located in Ontario and by the end of 2009, nearly 1.2 GW of wind capacity will be on-line;

Investments in new renewable energy projects already in place or under construction in Ontario total about CA$4 billion;

The proposed GEA, and the expected regulatory changes and policies that would flow from it, include a range of measures. Among the most notable elements are:

Creating a new attractive feed-in tariff regime – a pricing system for renewable energy – that will guarantee rates and help spark new investment in renewable energy generation, increase investor confidence and access to financing;

Establishing the ‘right to connect’ to the electricity grid for renewable projects;

Establishing a streamlined approvals process, including providing service guarantees for renewable energy projects and a Renewable Energy Facilitator;

Appointing a Renewable Energy Facilitator to offer one-window assistance and support to project developers in order to facilitate project approvals;

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